Poland stint spurs Khairul Hafiz to excel in Sukma - Coach

Khairul Hafiz Jantan's record breaking 100 metres dash in 10.18s is attributed to the positive impact of his stint at the World Junior Athletics Championship in Poland.

His coach, Mohd Poad Md Kassim said the training and high intensive championship in Poland boosted the performance of Khairul Hafiz and his teammate, Badrul Hisyam Abdul Manap, in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) on Wednesday.

"I did not expect Khairul Hafiz to dip under 10.20s as I was targeting only 10.27s or 10.28s. I could see a dramatic change in their performance in Poland.

"I told them to treat the championship as training. While in Poland, they were nervous and feeling the pressure," said the coach.

Melaka born Khairul Hafiz,18, erased the 18-year-old record of 10.30s set by Watson Nyambek at the 1998 Pre-Commonwealth Games at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

In fact, the 10.18s clocked Khairul Hafiz at Sarawak Stadium was only 0.01 second slower than the SEA Games record of 10.17s set by Suryo Agung Wibowo of Indonesia in the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos.

The silver medal went to Jonathan Nyepa who clocked 10.36s while Badrul Hisyam, who was also timed at 10.36s had to be contented with the bronze based on a photo-finish decision.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on Badrul Hisyam's dip in performance since the ASEAN School Championships last year, Mohd Poad hopes the 19-year-old sprinter would improve soon.

"We will counsel him and guide him to greater heights," said the coach from Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) in Kota Tinggi.